Turntable bearing device



July 1927 J. D. RAuc'H TURNTABLE BEARING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1925 I 40 frame 1 and turntable 2 Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN DJRAUOK, F IJIA, OHIO, ABSIGNOB TO THE OHIO STEAM SHOVEL COMPANY, OI LIIA, OHIO, A COBPORATION'OI' OHIO.

'IVBN'ILBLI nnamennvrcn.

Application fled m me. semi No. 40,104.

This invention relates to improvements in bearing devices for turntables and the like, and more particularly to antifriction roller bearings applied to relatively heavy machinery parts, such as turntables used in power shovels, cranes or similar heav duty apparatus which are subject to withstand great loads and are usually subject to excessive wear and require frequent lubrica- 1 tion.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an 1m roved construction of turntables of the c aracter described wherein the central axial bearing is provided with 1 an improved construction of roller bearings which r uire only a simple machining olperation o the relativel heavy parts of t e turntable and which will automatically compensate for wear of the main supporting 2 rollers which support the major portion of the weight of such turntables.

- A further object is to produce a structure in which the turntable may be readily dismantled for convenience in shipping or 25 making necessary repairs. My invention may also be applied to other bearing devices adapted to extend through heavy machine parts, such as turntable bases, as will here mafter more fully appear.

so The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in

which the single figure illustrates one embodiment thereof as applied to the base,

frame and turntable of a -mobile power :5 shovel, but with theoperating parts and the superstructure above the turntable being omitted.

' Referring to details shown in the drawings, the main elements comprise a base means for the "base frame comprising axle 3 journalled inthe base frame and provided with wheels 4-4 adapted for supporting engagement with the ground. In the orm 45 shown, the turntable 2 is rovided with the usual form of main loa bearing support consisting of a plurality of wheels 5 of w ich one is shown. Each of the wheels has a tapered eriphery 5 enga ing an annular so tapered ring or track 6, sai ring being continuous about the base 1. The wheels have suitable su porting devices connected with the turntab e, as herein shown, said wheels each having a shaft 7 secured in pedestals and supporting 8-8 of said turntable and having roller bearing devices 9 interposed between said shaft and the body of the wheel. The turntable shown also has means for rotating it bodily about its axis, comprising a ring gear 10 on the base 1 cage (1 by a pinion 11 on shaft 12, the latter sli aft extendin vertically through the body of the turnta 1e and provided with roller bearings, as will herein after be described in detail.

Referrin now to the construction forming the su ject. matter of the resent invention, the turntable is provid with vertically disposed axial bearing devices, associated witha vertically disposed member 15, concentric with the turntable and through which extends a driving shaft 13 forming'a driving connectionbetween the mechanism fitted in a bore 23 in the turntable concentric with the axis thereof and spaced from the stud 19 of the centrally supporting member 15. Roller bearing devices are, interposed between the sleeve 22 and the center supporting stud 19,in the form shown two sets of roller devices of the tapered roller type being utilized. The lower set comprises an outer race 25 engaging a downwardly facing shoulder 26 formed on the inner face of the sleeve 22 and a coacting inner race 27 fitting around the center stud 19 engaging the upper face of the roller 18 thereof. The upper set of roller'bearing devices comprises outer race 30 and inner race 31 interposed between sleeve member 22 and stud 19 adjacent the upper end thereof, in the form shown the outer race 30 resting on a flanged ring member 32 which in turn is supported the inner roller race 31. A set screw maybe provided for retaining the adjusting collar 88 for lubricating means, such as grease,-

which be supplied to the bearings through an openin in the collar 35 and working downwar y around the plate 32 to the lower roller bearing, the rin 32 forming a baflle to. retain a portion 0 the grease for the upper bearing. With such an arrangement the bearings need only be packed with lubricant at infrequent periods, instead airing the application of lubricant severa times a day as is themes with ordinary bearings in this type of heavy duty machine.

It will be further understood that the bearin wheels, 5 and track 6 are subject to wear uring the operation of the machme. This wear is compensated for in the construotion shown by providing the sleeve 22 easily dismantle in loose fitting en gement in the turntable bore 23 and furnis 'ng cooperating keyways 41 and 42 in the sleeve and. turntable respectivel vin which is fitted a sliding key 43,

preferab ta red toward the lower end, as shown. it this construction it will be observed that as the turntable settles toward the main frame 1 due to wear of the main supporting rollers and roller track, as just described, the turntable will sli downwardly relative to the sleeve 22 W11 e the key 48 will readjust itself to each new posltion of the parts. In this manner the wear is automatically compensated for without necessitating an care or readjustment, and without afiectmg the adjustment of the rollor bearing devices within the sleeve. The only adjustment of the latter bearings which may be required is that due to natural wear upon'them independently of the wear on the main supporting rollers 5 and its assoclated track 6.

The bearing assembly comprising the sleeve 22 and stud 19 arranged as described, is particularly advantageous in its application to heavy machine parts such as t e turntable herein shown, inasmuch as it requires a minimum amount of machining of the heavy turntable itself, consisting only of a .straight bore 23 and keyway 42, and this machining may be comparatively rough and within wide tolerances. The finer machining operations, such as may be desirable for fitti the roller bearing races to ether in the al assembly, may be carrie out on the relatively smaller sleeve 22 and stud 15 which are much more readily handled on turning lathes.

A rther advantage of construction shown is that it (permits the turntable to be for shippiu or making necessary repairs, and without isturbing the is practical to remove the turnta le from the sleeve 22 by removing the Key 43 and jacking the turntable vertically over the sleeve, so that the entire turntable and super structure may be readily removed from the truck. Furthermore, the entire center pin or member 15 can be withdrawn from above by the arrangement of the roller bearings. Thus, it

removal of the key 43 and the nut 15" and bevel gear 14 just below the same. This is especially advantageous in case it is necessary to make repairs to the roller bearings, since the entire center unit can be removed without disturbing the relation of the truck and the turntable.

A bearing assembly similar to that above described in connection with the central axial bearing may also be advanta eously applied to shafts extending througi the relatively heavy turntable at points other than the center thereof, as for instance, in connection with the bearin tates the turntable relative to the base, as already described. In the form shown, the bearing device comprises a sleeve 52, which may be similar in construction to the sleeve shaft 12 which ro- 22 on the central bearing and is seated in the bore 53 formed in the turntable. Roller bearing devices 54 and 55 are providedat the top and the bottom of sleeve 52, the constructlon thereof being also similar to the roller bearings described in connection with the central bearing about stud 19, with the exception that the inner bearing races are carried directly on the "shaft 12 instead of on the stud 19. In the case of sleeve 52 no vertical adjustment thereof is necessary, so said sleeve may have permanent adjustment with respect to the turntable, as by means of set screws 56-56. Adjustment means for the roller bearing devices are also afi'orded, in the present instance by the bevel gear 57 which is keyed to the shaft 12 and bears on the inner roller race of the up er bearing 54. Said bevel gear may be adjusted vertically by a threaded nut 57 threaded on the uplper end of the-shaft. Suitable caps 58 an 59 are secured at op osite ends of the sleeve 52 for providing a c osed reservoir for lubricant, which may be supplied thereto through hole 59. As in the case of the centrally dis osed bearing assembly surroundin stud 19, this form of assembly within tie sleeve 52 is advantageous in connection with heavy machine parts such as described, for the reason that it requires a minimum amount of machining of the turntable itself, only a straight bore 53 being required. This construction also permits the entire shaft assembly including the pinion 11 to be withdrawn upwardly through the turntable for repairs or shipment without disturbing the relationshi of the adjacent parts including the turnta 1e or the base.

Although I ave shown and described one 6 fications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having therefore described the construction and operation of my invention, I claim: 1. A bearing support for heavy machine upri ht bore therethrough a sleeve fitting in said ore and 'slidable axia ly therein, a spindle extending coaxially within said sleeve and rotatable with respect to said frame a thrust bearing inter osed between said spindle and sleeve, an means restraining rotation of said sleeve in said bore but permitting relatively free vertical movement thereof whereby said frame may be automatically readjusted by gravity to compensate for wear of said thrust bearing.

2. A bearing support for heavy machine parts comprising a frame member having an upright bore therethrough, a sleeve fitting in said bore and slidable axially therein, means for locking said sleeve from rotation in said bore comprising a key loosely fitting to perparts comprising a frame member having anmit relative longitudinal movement of said sleeve and frame a spindle extending coaxially within sai sleeve and rotatable with respect to said frame, and a pair of longitudinally spaced anti-friction roller bearin devices interposed between said spindle an said sleeve. 1

3. A bearing support for heavy machine parts comprising a frame member having an upright bore therethrough, a sleeve fitting in said bore and slidable axially therein, means for locking said sleeve from rotation in said bore comprising a key loosely fittin to sermit relative longitudinal movement 0% sai sleeve and frame, a spindle extending coaxially within said sleeve and rotatable with respect to said frame and a pair of longitudinally spaced anti-friction roller. bearing devices including inner and outer races, said inner races fitting in sliding engagement on said spindle and said outer races engaging a pair of outwardly facing shoulders ormed 111 said sleeve. 192Signed at Lima, Ohio, this 16 day of July,

JOHN D. RAUCH. 

